More Articles

The Bread & Butter Diet

iDAJ/amana images/Getty Images

The Bread and Butter Diet generally lasts for four days. It allows a slice of bread and a tsp. of butter to be eaten at every meal. Fruits, vegetables, salads and high-quality proteins are permitted to be eaten at meals. The Bread and Butter Diet offers many nutritional benefits when combined with other basic food groups. You may choose different types of bread to avoid boredom and add variety to your diet. Consult with your doctor before increasing your intake of these foods.

Types of Bread

There are several types of bread available to fulfill your grain requirements. Examples include rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, matzo, tortillas, whole-wheat, multigrain, bagels and several others. Consider eating whole-wheat breads as often as possible because these offer more nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, zinc, iron and fiber. According to the “Nutrition Almanac,” many of these nutrients are lost when grains are refined and processed

Function of Fiber

Whole-wheat and multigrain bread are considered complex carbohydrates that provide a significant amount of dietary fiber. High-fiber bread prevents constipation by absorbing water to create stool for excretion. According to “101 Foods That Could Save Your Life,” fiber helps stabilize blood sugar levels because it is slowly digested and released into the bloodstream. Fiber reduces cholesterol, improves bowel function and protects against colon cancer.

Function of Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that bread supplies to your diet. The major mineral is involved in many metabolic processes. According to the “Nutrition Almanac,” magnesium functions by converting glucose into energy, metabolizing fats and synthesizing proteins. The mineral also plays a role in the formation of urine, which removes excess ammonia and sodium from your body.

Significance of Vitamin A

In “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth,” Jonny Bowden lists butter as being a rich source of vitamin A, which is need for many functions in the body. Vitamin A improves the functioning of your immune system and maintains good vision. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant and protects against certain cancers by preventing damage to your cells caused by toxins. Butter also contains other fat-soluble vitamins such as E, D and K.

Considerations for Butter

The fat in butter is mainly from saturated fatty acids. Saturated fat raises blood cholesterol levels and is associated with higher rates of heart disease and obesity. According to Dr. Jonny Bowden, a small amount of dietary fat is necessary in your diet to help absorb key nutrients. Healthier options are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Try spreading alternative sources of healthy fats such as nut butters, avocados or olive oil on your bread.

Yasser Bailey resides in Austin and began writing articles in 2003. Her articles have been published in the University of Texas campus newspaper and "Self" magazine. She received her Bachelor of Arts in business and government from the University of Texas at Austin. Bailey also just completed her Master of Arts in educational leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington.